The Juggling Act: How to juggle leadership and life

170 Pages·2021·3.443 MB·English

by  Professor Toby Salt

ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Professor Toby Salt has
worked as a teacher,
headteacher, executive
headteacher, senior civil
servant, a quango leader,
chief executive of a large
multi-academy trust and
CEO of England’s largest
exam board. He was
also once a fishmonger.
Across 40 years, Toby has
learned how to lead pupils,
staff, organisations and
government ministers.
He’s also the father of
three children and several
more foster children,
and spent years running
residential and youth
services.

First published 2021
by John Catt Educational Ltd,
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Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1QT
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© 2021 Toby Salt
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and
are not necessarily those of the publishers or the editors. We cannot accept
responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Print ISBN: 978 1 913622 84 8
ePDF ISBN: 978 1 914351 71 6
ePUB ISBN: 978 1 914351 72 3
Set and designed by John Catt Educational Limited
PRAISE FOR THE JUGGLING ACT
Toby Salt has had a long and hugely successful career as an educational
leader. From stories about Darren and Luke to accounts of meetings with
Michael Gove and David Miliband, this wide-ranging book encapsulates
much of Toby’s learning about leadership and, indeed, about life. Full of
wit, wisdom, insight and remarkable honesty, Toby’s passion for making
a difference shines through. It made me smile, helped me to reflect on my
own leadership journey and brought back some great memories.
Steve Munby, former CEO, National College for School Leadership
In this revealing book which looks at his experiences of leadership from
both a professional and a personal perspective, and examines how each
can impact upon the other, Toby Salt and Laura McInerney allow the
reader an insight into how he has tried to balance the demands of home
and family life with those of building and maintaining a high profile
career in education. In typically charming and informal style, they distil
decades of Toby’s hard-earned leadership insights and combine them
with some practical advice, resulting in an accessible and readable volume
which would be of benefit to all those who lead or aspire to do so.
Susan Douglas CBE, CEO Eden Academy Trust
and Senior Adviser, Schools, British Council
This book is full of brilliant, reflective advice about leadership and life. A
great read that is wise, honest and ultimately uplifting.
Dame Alison Peacock,
Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching
A leadership handbook for all contexts, grounded in reality and integrity.
Every chapter delivers pearls of leadership wisdom and leaves us with
killer questions to reflect on our own leadership journey.
It reminds us all of our responsibility as a leader to be driven by our values
and do the right thing, even under intense pressure, and helps us all look
in the mirror.
This is the book I wish I had when I first became a leader and I am
grateful that I have it now. A must-have for all leaders.
Sir Steve Lancashire, CEO of REAch2
This is one of those rare life-enhancing books that reminds us why as
leaders we do what we do. Wise, funny, and deeply humane, ‘The Juggling
Act’ serves as a masterclass in how to keep our perspective through times
of turbulence, how to savour the joyful moments, and how to maintain a
sense of balance. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary,
Association of School & College Leaders
CONTENTS
Foreword by Andy Buck 7
Prologue: An honest confession 9
Chapter 1. What makes a difference to Darren? 11
Chapter 2. Always be honest 17
Chapter 3. Share the mission (loyalty) 27
Chapter 4. Build the hoist 37
Chapter 5. There are no traffic jams on the extra mile 45
Chapter 6. The first 100 days 51
Chapter 7. The power of autonomy 61
Chapter 8. Meetings: Four golden rules 67
Chapter 9. D igital defenestration: How to use technology so that you rule it rather
than it ruling you 77
Chapter 10. The rules for delegating 85
Chapter 11. Cast an understudy 93
Chapter 12. Money 101
Chapter 13. The other side of the table 113
Chapter 14. Leaving well 121
Chapter 15. Networking without hating it 127
Chapter 16. Say thank you loudly and often 137
Chapter 17. A short story to tell yourself when you’re putting work first 143
Chapter 18. What are your working life non-negotiables? 147
Chapter 19. Births, deaths and ambulances 155
The final reflection: How to build a family 161
Acknowledgements 165

FOREWORD
Rarely do I start reading a book and feel compelled to read to the end
in one sitting. In this delightful mix of heartfelt stories, sage advice, and
brutally honest reflections on his extraordinary life in leadership, Toby
Salt has created a narrative that immediately pulls you in and keeps you
wanting more. Drawing on his early days of leading schools, to his time as
deputy CEO at the National College of School Leadership, Director in the
Department for Education, CEO of both the Ormiston Academies Trust
and latterly the AQA examination board, Toby takes a uniquely personal
look at how leaders at all levels can balance a whole set of competing
challenges. He reveals his successes and failures when it comes to balancing
work with home life. He shares some wonderfully honest examples of the
challenges that all leaders can face when making key decisions, especially
resolving the tension between doing what is easiest and what is right.
Whether you work in education or not, if you are looking for a book that
will both lift your spirits and offer reassurance, and time (and exercises)
to support reflection, then look no further. This book will help you to
be more effective in life and leadership. Quite apart from the plethora
of amusing stories, ranging from the great and the good in education
and politics over the last 30 years, it is brimming with great advice and
practical suggestions, all served up with Toby’s inimitable wit, honesty
and charm. Just make sure you have a clear diary before you start
reading…
Andy Buck
Founder of Leadership Matters
Creator of the BASIC Coaching Method
7